Gate closer



June 19, 1962 P. A. scHwARz 3,039,134

GATE CLOSER Filed Oct. 30. 1959 Pete A. chwarz BY a ma United States Patent Ofiice 3,939,134 Patented June 19, 1962 3,039,134 GATE CLOSER Peter A. Schwarz, R.F.D. 1, Box 100, Granville, Iowa Filed Oct. 31), 1959, Ser. No. 849,937 3 Claims. (Cl. 16--72) This invention relates to gates, doors and the like and more particularly to a closer for a gate.

An object of the invention is to provide a very simple and practical attachment for a gate to hold the gate in a closed position but enable the gate to be easily swung open, after which it automatically returns to the closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a very simple mechanical device which can be quite easily attached to existing gates without alteration to the gate structure or to either of the gateposts, and which serves the intended purpose of closing the gate very effectively.

These together with other objects and advantages .which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view 'of a gate equipped with a gate closer in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a part of one of the gateposts and a portion of the closer.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view showing a part of the gate and a part of the closer.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale and taken on the line 4--4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the closer.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of one of the parts in FIGURE 5.

In the accompanying drawings there is an illustration of a conventional gate 10 and two gateposts 12 and 14. As shown in FIGURE 1, the gate is hinged to post 12 by two vertically spaced hinges. Each hinge has a hinge axis substantially midway between adjacent surfaces of post 12 and gate 10. This is a usual arrangement, regardless of whether the gate is metallic or wood. Gate closer 16 functions equally as well with various types of gates, and one preferred arrangement i.e. a metallic gate and metallic posts, is shown in the drawing to exemplify the principles of the invention. Gate 10 has an ornament 18 at the top thereof which serves as an excellent place for securing closer 16. Further, the gate has a conventional gate latch 20 which may be rendered ineffectual at the option of the owner when closer 16 is installed. For example, a ring or an elongate essentially closed band 22 may be attached to one side of the gate for sliding movement. By moving the band 22 in position so that the latch 20 is held sprung close to the side of the gate, the latch is rendered ineffectual, FIGURES 1 and 4. The dotted lines in the right portion of FIGURE 1 show the latch 20 in the operative position. When the latch 28 is in the operative position, the band 22 is at the lowest end of the latch as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. The woven wire within frame It is spaced from the frame in the vicinity of latch 20 to permit the band 22 to slide on the frame and latch.

Closer 16 is made of an elongate coil spring 24 having an eye 26 at one end. The eye is looped around a pin 28 extending transversely between sides 30 and 32 of clamp 34. The clamp has a pair of confronting jaws 36 and 38 which embrace a part of ornament 18 thereby holding the clamp in fixed position. The pin 23 is preferably in the form of a bolt so that it may operate the clamp and also serve as a post for eye 26 (FIGURE 3).

The opposite end of spring '24 is open and has a bore 40. Pin 42 is tightly fitted into the bore 40 of the spring 24, land it has a mechanical stop 44 for the end of the spring. The right end of pin 42 is located substantially over the vertical axis of the gate hinge as viewed in FIG- URE 1. As shown in FIGURE 1, the spring 24 is composed of relatively heavy wire and is therefore relatively stiff. When the gate is opened in either direction, the spring 24 is bent in the vicinity just to the right of the free end of pin 42. When the door is freed, the spring tends to return to its normally straight position and thereby always returns the door to its closed position from either direction. The latch 20 may thus be maintained in its inoperative position if desired since the spring will hold the door closed. The mechanical stop may assume a number of configurations, one of which is to have a disk 46, pin or the like welded onto the pin 42. Pin 42 is essentially L-shaped with disc 46 fixed to the upper part thereof. The lower part 48 thereof is welded to a collar-type clamp 50 which is connected tightly by bolts 52 and nuts 53 to the upper extremity of post 12. This is all that is necessary in the construction of a typical embodiment of the gate closer.

In operation after installation of closer 16, opening of the gate deflects spring 24 by bending same. When the gate is released, the stored energy in deflected spring 24 causes the gate to return to the rest position.

In the modified assembly shown in FIGURE 6, the lower portion 48 of pin 42 is fixed to the inner portion of clamp 50 rather than the outer portion thereof. Otherwise, the form shown in FIGURE 6 is the same as the form shown in FIGURE 5.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A gate closer for a gate which is pivotally hinged on a vertically extending support circular in cross-section adjacent one edge of the gate and the gate having structure on its upper edge adapted to be connected to the closer, the closer comprising a clamp adapted to extend around and grip the upper end of the support, adjusting means on the clamp for tightening it on the support in gripping relationship therewith, a pin secured to the clamp and extending upwardly therefrom, the upper end of the pin extending over the central portion of the clamp, a straight coil spring having one end telescoped over the upper end of the pin, means on the other end of said spring adapted to secure the spring to the structure on the upper edge of the gate, said clamp being rotatable about a vertical axis of said support before said adjusting means is tightened.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said structure on the upper edge of the gate comprises an ornamental grill.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamp comprises two semi-circular members each having radially outwardly extending flanges on their ends, an aperture in each flange, said adjusting means including threaded members extending through said apertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,099 Stover et al. June 21, 1898 964,801 Martin July 19, 1910 987,271 Upton Mar. 21, 1911 1,231,526 Hawley June 26, 1917 (Other references on following page) Yoder June 25, 1957 Johnson Mar. 15, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 2, 1907 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1927 

